I have been watching every episode of Leave it to Beaver on Peacock and noticed that Eddie and Lumpy, though Wally's closest friends keep bullying Beaver. To me, it's not very nice to pick on someone's friend's relatives. Anyone think so?

I have been watching every episode of Leave it to Beaver on Peacock and noticed that Eddie and Lumpy, though Wally's closest friends keep bullying Beaver. To me, it's not very nice to pick on someone's friend's relatives. Anyone think so?

Of course, it wasn't 'nice' but I think what was worse was that Wally KNEW they did this- yet stayed pals with them the whole time! I imagine Beav grew to resent Wally's priorities.

Some of the behavior was pretty extreme, like changing Beaver's "D" report card grade to a "B." They knew that would cause big trouble sooner or later.

In my childhood the situation was quite different -- my older brother's friends treated me well, while kids my own age engaged in bullying activity. (Especially in the 8th grade as I lagged in growth.) Oh well, one of them has passed on now, so...

Perhaps one day Beaver might be able to lure Eddie up into the bowl on the Zesto Soup billboard?

Then:

https://i.imgur.com/aF68iNY.jpg

Some of the behavior was pretty extreme, like changing Beaver's "D" report card grade to a "B." They knew that would cause big trouble sooner or later.

The report card was over the top. Ward should have talked to George Haskell, and Fred, about that one.

I'm not sure their behavior rises to bullying. Lumpy's actions in the early episode with the barrel hoops, that's classic bullying. Later they're more just nasty to Beaver, particularly Eddie.

Also there were times Wally did intervene (You leave my brother alone!) and Eddie backed down. And there was the notable time Wally was as bad as Eddie, and treated Beaver like dirt (in the Igloo bar episode).

I remember in The New Leave it to Beaver when Eddie still called Beaver "Squirt." In one episode, Beaver said to Eddie "And don't ever call me Squirt again."

By the time LITB got to the sixth season, Beaver really handled Eddie well, most of the time. He should have, he was just as big.

Was the name calling or other bullying of younger siblings by friends of the older siblings common in the 1950s or 1960s?

I think younger kids have always been shoved around by the older ones, siblings or friends-of-siblings.

Using TV as an example, look at poor Mark on Home Improvement.

I'm not sure their behavior rises to bullying.

Agreed. I think it was more like teasing.

Agreed. I think it was more like teasing.
That's true.